Dave Rowe of Rowe’s Auction Service in Carlisle, Pa., holds regular sales every Thursday. He had an antique sale on July 17 from various estates and downsizing collections in Carlisle, Mechanicsburg, and Boiling Springs. The sale consisted of antique advertising, stoneware, pressed glass, transferware china, baskets, lighting, toys, quilts and much more. The two stars were a pair of watercolor portraits attributed to Jacob Maentel.
Jacob Maentel (1763-1863) was an untrained portrait watercolor artist, German-born, having immigrated in 1806. He served in the Second Regiment of the Second Brigade of the Pennsylvania militia during the War of 1812 and following became a naturalized citizen. He painted watercolor portraits of officers in his regiment and their families. He and his wife, Catherine Weaver, lived for years in southeastern Pennsylvania where he did commission portraiture, and many of his subjects were Pennsylvania Germans. The style
was often profile view with interior and exterior scenes. Unsigned, the people and background scenes he painted have distinctive appearances making attribution possible for the semi-unfamiliar eye. Many subjects lived in the Annville, Jonestown, Schaefferstown, and Manheim areas, and Maentel also spent time on the west shore of the Susquehanna in Shiresmantown and Mechanicsburg. He and his family later moved to Indiana. As early as the 1960s, Maentel portraits have had a collector following in folk art circles, and the work is often very valuable. The man and woman portraits sold were “right out of the family” according to Rowe and had been owned by an elderly consignor for decades. Removed from Victorian-era frames, each subject with formal attire was identified on back, “Sarah Miesse painted 1829 or 30” and “Abram Miesse painted 1829 or 30.” The couple had a son, Franklin. The condition on Abram’s portrait was excellent, while Sarah’s had old crease lines from folding. The rare fresh-tothe-market watercolors sold as a pair for $26,000 to collector Dr. Jim Bohn.
For more information, call Rowe’s at 717-249-2677.
Continued on page 6
Results From Entertainment And Collectibles Sale
Walt Disney World Opening Day Tickets Sell For $6,250
By Karl Pass
Potter & Potter Auctions held a 692-lot Entertainment, Toys and Collectibles sale July 10, grossing nearly $340,000. Prices noted include a 20 percent buyer’s premium.
The top lot was the Elizabeth gold dress worn by actress Keira Knightley in Walt Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.” Estimated at $6,000 to $9,000, it walked the red carpet at $18,750. A floral-patterned gold silk dress was detailed with lace trimmed sleeves and a rhinestone and faux-pearl accented bodice, custom fitted for the actress, and it came with a COA from Disney Auctions and various related ephemera.
An original production cel from “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” was estimated at $800 to $1,200 and delivered $12,500. It was made around 1966 by Melendez Productions and featured Snoopy wearing his WWI Flying Ace costume, sitting atop his bullet-riddled doghouse, fresh from his dogfight against the Red Baron. The cel was matted and framed under glass. An animated display in a wooden cabinet of the Dwarfs’ bath from “Snow White,” was estimated at $4,000 to $6,000 and sold for $6,250. It was produced in the 1930s by Old King Cole of Canton, Ohio. This was one of nine Old King Cole Disney displays in the auction, from a matching set. A collection of Walt Disney
A Landscape Of Incalculable Advantage
Lecture Will Discuss Role The Limestone And Lime Industry Played In Early Pennsylvania
Historic Rock Ford’s lecture series presents “A Landscape of ‘Incalculable Advantage’: How the Lime Industry Shaped Everyday Life in 18th and 19th Century Southeastern Pennsylvania.” Presenter Peter Glogovsky’s lecture will explore how the limestone and lime industries in southeastern Pennsylvania were critical in shaping everyday life in the 18th and early 19th century. This program highlights the people who quarried stone, burned lime, and used these commodities to demonstrate the extent to which this industry contributed to Pennsylvania’s rural and urban cultural landscapes and industrial development.
The lecture will take place on Sunday, Aug. 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Langmuir Education Room located on the first floor of the Rock Ford Barn.
Before the lecture, the Snyder Gallery will be open from 5 to 6 p.m. so that attendees may visit the 2025 Focus Exhibit “1825: Lafayette in Lancaster.”
Peter Glogovsky is a public historian and museum professional
Continued on page 7 A grouping of Walt Disney World opening tickets and publications sold for $6,250.
This rare pair of husband and wife portraits attributed to folk artist Jacob Maentel sold together for $26,000.
Historian Peter Glogovsky will present a lecture on Sunday, Aug. 17, at Historic Rock Ford.
PUBLISHER: Jocelyn Engle
EDITOR: Karl Pass kpass@antiquesandauctionnews.net 717-278-1404
DISPLAY SALES: Tim Moore tmoore-ant@engleonline.com 717-492-2534
Antiques & Auction News is distributed at shops, shows, markets and auctions throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
ADVERTISING DEADLINE: Every Thursday at 11 A.M. Issues are mailed one week prior to publication date.
Antiques & Auction News is published weekly. We reserve the right to edit material submitted for publication to conform to the editorial guidelines of Antiques & Auction News. Reproduction of artwork, editorial or advertising copy is strictly prohibited without the written consent of the publisher.
Antiques & Auction News PO Box 500 Mount Joy, PA 17552 ANTIQUESANDAUCTIONNEWS.NET
Hi-Yo, Silver! “The Lone Ranger” Shines
Highlights Included Clayton Moore’s Colt Revolvers Screen-Used During TV Series
An original black cloth and plastic mask screen-worn by Clayton Moore as the star of the TV series “The Lone Ranger” sold within estimate at $27,060. Variations of the mask reside in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame in Waco, Texas. Another (smaller) version of the original was kept for years by the Moore family. This auction example came with provenance from the estate of “The Lone Ranger” TV series’ producer, Jack Wrather.
Collectors figuratively saddled up and traveled the historic Santa Fe Trail to Morphy’s June 21 auction of Western art and antiques, a million-dollar-plus event that embodied the spirit of American adventure and reverence for Native culture in 472 diverse and exceptional lots. The evening sale was a well-attended special highlight of the Old West Show & Auction weekend held annually at the Santa Fe Community Center.
The auction lineup included fine and decorative art, riding apparel and tack; firearms, silverwork, Native tribal art and relics; and Hollywood cowboy memorabilia, to name a few of the categories. Top-lot honors went to an artist-signed oil-on-canvas painting by William Gilbert Gaul (1855-1919) titled “Indian by Campfire.” Gaul was a well-credentialed artist known for his military scenes and Western
subjects, including realistic depictions of interaction between Native and Caucasian people. Born in New Jersey, Gaul studied in New York City at the Art Students League and the National Academy of Design (NAD), where, in 1882, he was elected a member. Gaul made many trips to the American West between 1882 and 1891, living on Army posts and with Indian tribes whose cultures and traditions he captured in his artworks. One of his best-known works is a portrait of Sitting Bull, which he painted from life. “Indian by Campfire” came with provenance that included a 2001 sale at Sotheby’s. Against a pre-sale estimate of $30,000 to $50,000, it sold for $39,360 at Morphy’s.
Two of the most talked-about lots had a direct connection to the classic TV series “The Lone Ranger” and were screen-used by its star, Clayton Moore (1914-1999). Perhaps
A pair of Colt Single Action Army Revolvers used by Clayton Moore (1914-1999) during filming of the TV series “The Lone Ranger,” Serial number 58918, indicating original manufacturing date of 1880, sold for $29,520. They came with six of the Lone Ranger’s silver-plated, deactivated Remington UMC cartridges.
nothing was more essential to Moore’s iconic role than the black eye mask his character wore to conceal his identity. The cloth-and-plastic mask was molded to fit Moore’s face and became part of one of the most recognizable costumes in American TV history. Inextricably tied to a classic series that first ran on ABC Television from 1949 to 1957, the mask came with provenance from the estate of the show’s producer, Jack Wrather. It sold within its estimate range for $27,060.
Additionally, the auction included a pair of Colt Single Action Army Revolvers screenused by Clayton Moore during filming of “The Lone Ranger” series. Both Colts were .45 caliber and bore the serial number 58918, indicating 1880 as their year of manufacture. The lot included six of the Lone Ranger’s silver-plated deactivated Remington UMC cartridges.
Like the mask, the revolvers came with provenance from the estate of producer Jack Wrather. Entered with an estimate of $25,000 to $35,000, the pair of revolvers retired at $29,520.
From the Civil War era, a desirable New Haven Arms Model 1860 “Henry” lever-action rifle was manufactured in 1863. It displayed all of the essentials collectors seek in an original Henry of its period, including matching serial numbers stamped inside the butt plate, on the lower inside tang, on the barrel breech and inside the stock channel. Also, an “H” stamp was visible inside the lower tang, and the barrel flat displayed an early-style small Henry patent legend stamp. A perennially-popular model with fans of historical firearms, the Henry settled above high estimate at $19,200.
A magnificent example of Native American artistry, a Northern Plains/Sioux pictorial beaded vest was a scenestealer at the auction preview. Its front panels were decorated with stunning images of two mounted warriors with feathered coup sticks, while the back showed two mounted braves dressed in full regalia, including headdresses and coup sticks, with an upper portion adorned with two polemounted American Flags. Described by Morphy’s cataloger as one of the nicest Native beaded vests ever to be offered by the Pennsylvania-based auction house, it
A visually compelling ographed pennant poster in an unusual trapezoidal shape promoted “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West/Pawnee Bill’s Far East” shows. Extremely colorful and
Continued on page 5
Unique German silver- and brass-inlaid Colorado State Penitentiary-made mounted spurs with heel bands adorned with 1-1/3-inch engraved, inlaid circles with brass borders, each encasing a five-point star, sold just below high estimate for $11,079.
Collector Chats With Peter S. Seibert
This Week: The China Collectors
By Peter Seibert
My daughter called me the other day to say that she was making lunch for her grandparents at her new apartment. Jane, as many readers know, works for Cordier Auctions, and so her tiny apartment is already starting to blossom with treasures that she has purchased both from dealers and at auction. She decided to dig out her Imari plates to show off a bit. I was proud as punch.
Ceramics remain today one of the single most undervalued items in the trade. I continue to be impressed and amazed at the ridiculously low prices for items that just
20 years ago would have commanded a good week’s wages to buy. What happened?
Years ago, I recall the late Else Doehne telling me that the dishwasher had destroyed the antique glass market. The stuff shattered too easily, so no one wanted it anymore. Today, whether glass or china, I am not quite convinced this is the explanation. Dishwashers seem pretty gentle.
It strikes me that the rather silly minimalism of the Gen X, Millennial and Gen Z world is more the issue. Ceramics are seen as something that does not fit into this odd notion that you must only have things that are purely practical. Yes, of course, I am making fun of that idea, since as a collector I own things that are not practical. But they are beautiful, they appeal to me historically, and I am happy to own them for the short span of my life on this earth.
China collecting is probably the most old school of all collecting topics. There is a famous Victorian painting of an old man inspecting a piece of china from a matron’s cabinet showcasing her collection of ceramics.
In my own collection, I have pieces of china with old labels telling me what collection it came from and how it related to others. One export bowl has a note that says it is identical to one in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It is actually not, but I leave the label intact as a lesson in humility.
There is a transferware sugar bowl in my collection that has a yellow 1920 receipt and letter inside from a dealer in York, Pa. The purchase price of the bowl is listed among several items. The sugar bowl was sold for $7.50. According to an online inflation calculator, that would be $107 and some change in today’s currency. Back in 2000, I purchased the bowl for $15 from a dealer in Carlisle who specialized in household clean-outs. The same online calculator tells me that I paid $28 for that bowl in 2025 dollars based upon inflation. Bottom line is the market has dropped and flattened considerably since the heady days when it was first sold.
In my youth, ceramics were what your grandmother collected. I still remember debating about keeping my
Appraiser Vs. Authenticator
What’s The Difference?
By Shawn Vuocolo
When it comes to valuing vintage sports memorabilia, there are two key services that collectors and investors often rely on, an appraiser and an authenticator. Both play essential roles in ensuring that memorabilia is genuine and fairly valued, but they serve distinct functions in the memorabilia world.
Let’s take a look into the differences between a USPAP-compliant appraiser, and a third-party authenticator such as PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator).
The role of a USPAPcompliant appraiser:
A USPAP-compliant appraiser is a professional who follows the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP)
a set of industry guidelines designed to ensure that appraisals are ethical, impartial, and accurate.
USPAP-compliant appraisers assess the fair market value of memorabilia by analyzing factors like authenticity, condition, provenance, and market trends.
Key features of a USPAP-compliant appraiser: Value Determination:
grandmother’s box of Victorian cups and saucers. They were lovely, but if you tried to drink out of them, they were so small that you probably would pour the contents up your nose.
Today, I think this is a great opportunity for new and old collectors to find some real rarities and bargains. Things that are wonderful to look at and fun to use!
“Born to collect” should be the motto of Peter Seibert’s family. Raised in Central Pennsylvania, Seibert has been collecting and writing about antiques for more than three decades. By day, he is a museum director and has worked in Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Virginia and New Mexico. In addition, he advises and consults with auction houses throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, particularly about American furniture and decorative arts.
Seibert’s writings include books on photography, American fraternal societies and paintings. He and his family are restoring a 1905 arts and crafts house filled with years’ worth of antique treasures found in shops, co-ops and at auctions.
Determines the actual market value of items through in-depth research and analysis.
In-Depth Analysis: Provides detailed appraisal reports including photos, descriptions, and supporting documentation.
Legal and Financial Uses: Appraisals can be used for insurance, estate planning, donations, or legal purposes.
Continued on page 7
Antiques in 1840’s Brick Store
Iconic Sled Rosebud Sells For $14.75 Million
From ‘Orson Welles’ “Citizen Kane,” Famous Prop Breaks Records
On July 16, the second day of Heritage Auctions’ blockbuster Entertainment auction sessions that took place July 15 through 18, the sled famously known as Rosebud, from Orson Welles’ Hollywood classic “Citizen Kane,” sold for a remarkable $14.75 million, including the buyer’s premium. The iconic prop had belonged to “Gremlins” director Joe Dante since 1984.
After Heritage’s 2024 sale of the Ruby Slippers from “The Wizard of Oz” for $32.5 million, this Rosebud is the second most-valuable piece of movie memorabilia ever sold. The previous auction records for an example of the screen-used Rosebud, of which only a few versions were produced for the 1941 production, are $60,500 sold to producer-director Steven Spielberg in 1982 and $233,000 to an anonymous buyer in 1996.
“I’ve had the honor of protecting this piece of cinematic history for decades,” mentioned Dante following the sale. “To see Rosebud find a new home and make history in the process is both surreal and deeply gratifying. It’s a testament to the enduring power of storytelling.”
This Rosebud sled
studio lot. Rosebud is thought by many to be among the most potent symbols of cinematic storytelling from a film that defined the language of cinema. Orson Welles’ tale of mogul Charles Foster Kane often tops the list of best movies of all time, and Rosebud, Kane’s childhood sled, is at the heart of it.
The prop is one of three known sleds used for the film. Dante, who recognized the sled’s importance, even planted it as an Easter egg in four of his own films. Scientific testing confirmed the sled’s period authenticity, and like the others, it bears signs of production use, including original paint, wear, and removed rails possibly sacrificed to wartime scrap drives.
“This is not just the most important Entertainment event we’ve ever held,
it’s one of the most important in Entertainment auction history,” remarked Joe Maddalena, Heritage’s executive vice president. “These aren’t just props. They’re mythic objects. They tell the story of Hollywood’s greatest moments, one piece at a time, each tied to a memory, a performance, a legend. We’re honored to bring them to the fans, collectors, and institutions who will preserve them
for the generations to come.” Earlier in the auction session Bob Peak’s “Apocalypse Now” original painting broke auction records for the artist when it sold for $687,500. (Heritage holds all records for Peak, including the most recent high-water mark for the 2024 sale of another key original artwork for “Apocalypse Now” for $300,000). To learn more, visit www. HA.com.
08525
16686 Tyrone 814-684-5088 I-99 ANTIQUES, conveniently located off the Tyrone Exit of I-99, 1222 Pennsylvania Ave. Qty. antqs. & collectibles. Multi-Vendors.
OLD MILL ANTIQUE MALL, 1 S. Main Street. Open Daily, 11-5; Sat. 10-5. Antiques, glassware, records, coins, stamps, military items, collectible toys, trains, linens, books & ephemera.
Morphy’s
Continued from page 2
profusely illustrated, its motif featured an image of Buffalo Bill (William F. Cody) in the foreground. Copyrighted in 1910 and printed by Russell-Morgan, the 80-by-24inch pennant realized $16,800 against an estimate of $8,000 to $12,000.
More than five dozen pairs of antique spurs were offered, including unique German silver and brass-inlaid productions that had
been crafted within the walls of the Colorado State Penitentiary. The mounted spurs had heel bands adorned with 1-1/3-inch engraved, inlaid circles with brass borders, each encasing a five-point star. Rare and atypical, they sold just below their high estimate for $11,079.
A small selection of coveted lawmen’s badges included examples from marshals, sheriffs and police from Arizona, Texas, California and Oklahoma. An extra-special entry was a Texas Ranger’s
William Gilbert Gaul (1855-1919, Member of National Academy of Design) painted “Indian by Campfire,” and the oil-oncanvas, the auction’s top lot, realized $39,360.
A rare lithographed pennant poster in unusual trapezoidal shape advertising “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West/Pawnee Bill’s Far East” shows, colorful and profusely illustrated, with Buffalo Bill (William F. Cody) in foreground, copyright 1910, printed by Russell-Morgan, sold for $16,800.
CALENDAR S
A UCTIONS
ILLINOIS
08/16/2025, Union - Sat 10 AM & Online, donley auctions.com. Coin-op, antiques, advertising, toys, jewelry & more! Donley Auctions
INDIANA
08/02/2025, ShipshewanaSat 9:30 AM & Online, chupp auctions.com. Petroliana Auction. Chupp Auctions 10/22/2025, Shipshewana - Wed 9 AM, shipshewana tradingplace.com. Antique Toy Auction. Shipshewana Trading Place
MARYLAND
08/01-19/2025, Hagerstown - Wed. & Online, hurleyauctions.com. Furniture, antiques, primitives, tools & more! Hurley Auctions 08/09/2025, Historic Frederick - Sat 9:00AM, parzow auctions.com. Pinball machines, arcade games, gambling games, slot machines, skill games, grandmother predictions fortune teller machine, a rare 1917 Links coin drop Nickelodeon with original stained glass panel in excellent working condition & more! Howard B. Parzow Auctioneer
NEW JERSEY
PENNSYLVANIA
07/11-31/2025, MillersburgEnds Thu 6 PM, Online only, liddickauctions.hibid.com. Antiques, quilts, collectibles & more from the estates of Brooks & Ruth Robinson. Liddick Auction Services 07/31/2025, Kinzers - Thu 10 AM & Online, invaluable.com. Books, ephemera, photographs & postcards. Embassy Auctions International
08/02/2025, Paoli - Sat 9 AM, Real estate & personal property. Stable & Coach house built in 1896. Furniture & collectibles. Griest Auction Service
08/02/2025, Ephrata - Sat 10 AM & Online, gehman auctions.com. Antique & decorative arts. Gehman Auctions 08/02/2025, Ephrata - Sat 9 AM, hibid.com, Hunting, fishing & military collectibles & accessories. Horst Auction Center
08/02/2025, Orwigsburg - Sat 10 AM, auctiontimebidboard. com. Firearms, coins, jewelry, furniture, antiques/vintage, toys, glass, sports collectables, instruments, china & pottery & more! Auction Time Bid Board
08/08/2025, ChambersburgFri 1:30, auctionzip.com #1421, Vintage 1971 Kierkarmann Ghia VW w/33,000 miles completely restored, furniture & more. Kenny’s Auction 08/09/2025, Mars - Sat 9 PM, pulpfest.com. Pulps, books, art, posters, baseball magazines & more! Pulpfest Auction
08/10-23/2025, Harrisburg - Closes at 7 PM, Online only, larryswartz auctioneer.hibid.com. Whizzer bicycle, restored, vintage Pinball machines, shop tools, antiques/collectibles, Schuylkill County advertising, depression glass, furniture, comics, musical instruments, Atari with games, Victrola with records, nice & more! Larry Swartz Auctioneer
08/12/2025, Glen RockTues 9 AM & Online, wehrlys auction.com. Double Header Auction Firearms & Big Boy Toys. Wehrly’s Auction Service
08/14/2025, Kinzers - Thurs. 10 AM & Online, embassy auctionsinternational.com. Fine & costume jewelry , quality wrist and pocket watches & Victorian watch chains. Embassy Auctions International
This New Haven Arms Model 1860 “Henry” lever-action rifle, manufactured in 1863, matching serial numbers stamped inside butt plate, on lower inside tang, on barrel breech and inside the stock channel, sold above high estimate for $19,200.
The Northern Plains/Sioux
sold for $19,200.
From a selection of lawmen’s badges offered at the sale, this example designed as an encircled five-pointed Texas Star was originally worn by Texas Ranger W.M. Matt Cawthon, a sergeant with Co. “F” at Fort Fisher, Waco, Texas. With Cawthon’s initials “W.M.C.” engraved on verso, it sold for $7,200.
badge originally worn by WM “Matt” Cawthon, a sergeant with the Rangers’ Company ‘F’ at Fort Fisher in Waco, Texas. Attractively decorated with a Texas Star and “Texas Ranger” on the obverse, the badge was engraved on verso with Cawthon’s initials “WMC.” At some point, the badge had been gifted to Buster Brown of Houston, Texas. It was conveyed to its new owner with an original signed letter to Brown on Texas Department of Public Safety letterhead. Against an estimate of $1,500 to $2,500, it claimed a strong price of $7,200.
All prices quoted in this report are inclusive of buyer’s premium as noted on Morphy Auctions’ website.
For additional information, visit www.morphy auctions.com.
All images courtesy of Morphy Auctions.
08/16/2025, Elmer - Sat 9 AM, auctionzip.com #4959. Antiques, collectibles, jewelry, vintage glassware, framed artwork, estate treasures & more! Lee M Fox Auctions 08/16/2025, Elmer - Sat 9 AM, auctionzip.com #4959. Classic cars, tools & more! Lee M Fox Auctions
OHIO
09/27/2025, WilloughbySat 10 AM & Online, mile stoneauctions.com, Fall Spectacular Auction. Milestone Auctions
08/05/2025, MyerstownTues 1 PM, Online only, klein felters.com. Summer firearms, military & taxidermy sale. Kleinfelter’s Auction, Inc.
08/07/2025, Mcalisterville - Thurs., pmorganauctions. com. 22 acres of prime mountaintop woodlands with an 1155 sq foot pine ridge cabin. Patrick Morgan Auction Services, LLC
A Remington-UMC Arms and Ammunition banner with graphics of Indians on horseback hunting buffalo, canvas with corner grommets, sold for $14,400 against an estimate of $5,000 to $8,000.
Sitting Pretty: Ceramic Arts Studio Shelf-Sitters
Smack Dab In The Middle: Design Trends Of The Mid-20th Century
By Donald-Brian Johnson
Portraits
Continued from
Captivating colonials, sleepy spaniels, cute cowpokes, musical moppets, and an appealing assortment of international visitors. What do they have in common?
Well, they’re what’s known as “shelf-sitters.” And they’re all “sitting pretty,” thanks to the efforts of Ceramic Arts Studio (CAS) in Madison, Wis.
These ceramic figurines, most under $50 a pair in today’s marketplace, perch on a shelf, ledge, window sill, planter, or whatever spot is handy. Their little legs (or, in
the case of cats, dogs, and birds, their little paws or tails) dangle over the edge. The idea was a clever one, and Ceramic Arts Studio was just the place to bring it to life.
Founded in 1940 by Reuben Sand and Lawrence Rabbitt, CAS was originally a pottery, an unsuccessful one. In later years, Sand sheepishly admitted the problem with the studio’s pots, bowls, and vases: “They leaked.”
Things changed with the 1941 arrival of Betty Harrington. Although employed by the state of Wisconsin as a secretary, Harrington had previously-unrealized talent to burn. When a well was being dug at her home, she scooped up some of the excess clay and fashioned the figurine of a kneeling girl. Wanting to preserve the piece by having it “fired,” Harrington remembered passing a ramshackle shop, “Ceramic Arts Studio,” on her way to work. She stopped by and was told by a disinterested potter that the studio didn’t do custom firing. A discouraged Betty left. A keeneyed Reuben Sand met her on the way out. Sand had been searching for a product to replace those leaky pots. One look at the figurine Betty held told him he may have latched on to the solution. “I said of course we would fire the figure and glaze it, and if she wanted, we would fire other items that she might wish to bring in.”
Soon, Ceramic Arts Studio was transformed. Decorators and kiln operators replaced the potters, casting, painting, and firing winsome ceramic figurines as fast as Betty Harrington could design and mold them. The days of porous pottery pots were left behind. And, although “California Pottery”
became a byword for the post-WWII production of decorative ceramics, it was Madison’s “little studio that could” that led the pack. During its heyday, Ceramic Arts Studio was the nation’s top producer of ceramic figurines, turning out over 500,000 annually until closing in 1955.
Always on the lookout for ways to increase revenue, Reuben Sand suggested figurines that did double duty: salt-and-peppers, bells, banks, candleholders, and, of course, those shelf-sitters. According to Sand, they were an immediate hit. “I made it a point to go out to gift shops around the country to see what they wanted and then would bring back those suggestions. The best idea I got came early, and that was for shelf-sitters. That one came from a lady up in Michigan. She said that her grandmother had something she never saw on the market, two little figurines that were sitting over a shelf. That hit me! Those shelf-sitters made us a lot of money.” (No doubt, replacement figurines also added to the coffers: without the addition of a little tacky wax on their bases, CAS shelf-sitters have a tendency to topple).
Betty Harrington took Sand’s basic idea and ran with
it. As she recalled, “When you visualize something, and you kind of feel it’s you, almost, you have a fairly definite idea of what you want to do with a figure, and if that doesn’t work, you can ad lib while you’re working on it!” When it came to shelf-sitters, Harrington’s eagerness to experiment meant that CAS “Ballet Dancers” were soon jockeying for shelf space with the “Bali Boy & Girl,” and “Persian Cats” were rubbing elbows with “Pete & Polly Parrot.” Buyers sat up and took notice, and ever since, collectors have been sitting ducks for the irresistible appeal of Ceramic Arts Studio shelf-sitters.
The Wisconsin Pottery Association (WPA) will hold its annual Show & Sale on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wis.
As always, plenty of pieces by the “hometown studio,” Ceramic Arts, will be available for purchase.
Photo Associate: Hank Kuhlmann.
Caption quotations are from the original Ceramic Arts Studio catalogs.
Donald-Brian Johnson is the co-author of numerous Schiffer books on design and collectibles, including “Ceramic Arts Studio: The Legacy of Betty Harrington.” Please address inquiries to donaldbrian@msn.com.
trucks; Lladro figurines; Singer Featherweight sew machine; Coke sign; copper pot; telescope paintings by Jack Kier; Army uniforms; pictures; Longaberger® baskets; small antiques & collectibles. (10) Charles Stoner, Mercersburg, PA prints. Jack W. Kier Estate, USM Coloniel, Fighter Pilot OUTSIDE LINE 1:30: power tools, new cabinet bases; ect. Usual line up of box lots and items.
Terms: Cash, good check. 13% Buyers premium discounted to 10% for cash or good check.
This antique album quilt sold for $1,100.
“Two clever children,” “Nip & Tuck” are from the early 1940s.
“A modern pair of sitting youngsters, bobby soxers, no less!” “Sitting Girl With Kitten & Sitting Boy With Dog” dates to 1947.
“Youthful musicians awaiting the downbeat.” Here are “Harmonica Boy & Banjo Girl” from 1948.
This is “Jack & Jill,” “he in Buster Brown collar, she in dainty dimity,” from 1949.
It’s a lazy afternoon for the “Farmer Boy & Girl” from 1949.
From 1954 are the “Bali Boy & Girl” atop Tiki mugs.
From 1955, the “Canary Sleeping & Canary Singing,” are perched on an “Orange Blossom” pitcher by Hollywood Ware.
Purr-fectly fine are “Persian Cat Mother” and “Tom Cat” from 1949.
Potter & Potter
Continued from page 1
World opening day tickets and publications was estimated
at $200 to $400 and realized $6,250. The archive of eight pieces was from 1970-72 and included a set of four tickets to the WDW employee/VIP
Rock Ford
Continued from page 1
whose work focuses on Pennsylvania industrial history, cultural landscapes, and public memory. He received his doctorate in 2022 in American Studies from Penn State University. His dissertation examined the people, cultural landscapes, and business networks that shaped the 19th-century limestone and lime industries in southeastern Pennsylvania. He earned
his M.A. in Museum Studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program and his B.A. in Art History and Anthropology from Franklin & Marshall College. Glogovsky first discovered his interest in historic landscapes while growing up in rural Berks County where he explored old farmsteads, fields, and woodlands.
Admission will be $10 general admission. Tickets may be purchased at www.HistoricRockFord.org/ special-events.
Appraiser Vs. Authenticator
Continued from page 3
Ethics and Impartiality: Appraisers must remain unbiased and are prohibited from buying or selling items they appraise.
The role of a third-party authenticator:
Third-party authenticators specialize in verifying the authenticity of sports memorabilia. They ensure that items such as autographs, gameused equipment, or trading cards are genuine and unaltered.
Key features of third-party authenticators: Authentication Focus: Verifies that an item is genuine, not a forgery or reproduction.
Grading System: Assigns condition grades (e.g., PSA 10) especially for trading cards.
Certificates of Authenticity (COA): Issues official documents or tamper-proof holders to confirm legitimacy.
Auction and Sales Utility: Items authenticated are more desirable in the marketplace and often required for auctions.
pre-opening on Sept. 28, 1971; a set of three 1972 WDW Golf Championship tickets; and some Disney publications.
“Bidding was enthusiastic across the several categories in this auction, from movie memorabilia to animation, comic books, and Disneyana. We’re happy with the competitive results and look forward to our next sale of pop culture collectibles,” remarked Joe Slabaugh, director of cataloging at Potter & Potter Auctions.
To learn more, visit www. potterauctions.com.
While both appraisers and authenticators are vital in the memorabilia space, they have distinct purposes and outcomes.
For high-value memorabilia, it’s often ideal to use both services. Authentication provides credibility, while an appraisal determines the true market value. For example, a game-worn jersey authenticated by PSA will often receive a higher appraisal because of the verified legitimacy.
USPAP-compliant appraisers and third-party authenticators serve complementary roles in the sports memorabilia ecosystem, not competing ones. One provides an opinion of value; the other certifies authenticity.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a first-time seller, using both services ensures your memorabilia is genuine and properly valued. When you’re ready to protect or sell your collection, start with authentication, then work with a certified appraiser to examine its true worth.
Historic Rock Ford, located at 881 Rock Ford Road, Lancaster, Pa., is comprised of the General Edward Hand Mansion and the John J. Snyder, Jr. Gallery. It is owned and operated by the Rock Ford Foundation, a private, not-forprofit corporation.
WATCHES WITH CYLINDER MOVEMENTS. LATER 19TH C POCKET WATCHES FROM HAMILTON, ELGIN, WALTHAM & ILLINOIS. SEVERAL GOLD FILLED & SILVER CASES. FEATURING A 21 JEWEL 992B MOVEMENT HAMILTON POCKET WATCH! THEN, WE HAVE THE WRISTWATCHES. NUMEROUS BULOVA ACCUTRON MEN’S WRISTWATCHES FROM THE 1960’S - 1970’S. OTHER MAKERS TO INCLUDE ARE BENRUS, ELGIN, WALTHAM, ERNEST BORELL, HELBROS, & GOTHIC. PLUS 14 KT & 18 KT GOLD MENS & LADIES WATCHES. NEXT, A SUPERB COLLECTION OF FABRIC WOVEN & GOLD-FILLED VICTORIAN POCKET WATCH CHAINS, EACH WITH WONDERFUL HANGING CHARMS. OVER 125 YEARS OLD & YET THEY LOOK ALMOST NEW! RARELY HAVE WE SEEN WATCH CHAINS LIKE THIS, THAT CATCH THE EYE & SEEM ALMOST INDESCRIBABLE. YOU WILL BE AMAZED! AND, OF COURSE, FINE 10 KT, 14 KT & 18 KT GOLD JEWELRY. MANY FINE CHAINS, BRACELETS, RINGS, EARRINGS, GEMSTONE JEWELRY & DIAMONDS.
10 KT GOLD: A BLUE TOPAZ RING, CITRINE RING, A LARGE CABACHON AMETHYST RING, A LARGE CUSHION CUT CITRINE
The Elizabeth gold dress worn by actress Keira Knightley in Walt Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” realized $18,750.
An original production cel from “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” sold for $12,500.
An animated display in a wooden cabinet of the Dwarfs’ Bath from “Snow White,” ca. 1930s, sold for $6,250.
HUGE Antiques Auction
: ; harpsichord; slant front desks; corner cupboards; Chippendale & Rococo Revival chairs; marble top tables; barrister bookcases; MCM cabinets; poster beds; blanket chests; patio sets; rugs; ; naive paintings; Currier-Ives & Nutting prints; 1911 U of Md sports prints; fraktur drawings; art glass; Fenton; Noritake; Staffordshire; Blue Willow; Breininger redware; majolica; jewelry; ; cast iron dogs/skillets/sampler stoves/banks; seed box; lg copper apple butter kettle; spinning wheel; yarn winder; crocks; litho tin toys; vintage lunch boxes; Lionel trains; Nascar pedal car; pie-eyed Mickey doll; Christmas; German transistor radio; quilts; beaded purses; advertising; old postcards; stereo- scope; books; 42-star US flag; ; etc!
BLUEPOINT ROLLING TOOLBOX, 2 CANNON 60 GUN SAFES, LOTS OF HEAVY-DUTY MECHCANIC TOOLS INCLUDING AIR TOOLS, AMMO, KNIVES, SNOW BLOWER, BICYCLES, PICNIC TABLES & MANY MORE GREAT CATALOGED ITEMS. LIVE IN-HOUSE WITH REAL TIME ONLINE BIDDING! wehrlysauction.hibid.com
AUCTION NUMBER 2! STARTING OUTSIDE AT 8:30 AM !! UNCATALOGED LIVE ONLY !! MORE TOOLS, LAWN & GARDEN ITEMS, HOUSEHOLDS & ROWS OF BOX LOTS!
